"First painting was probably a template, but templates wear out. The suits must be painted over and over. Every so often the junior Guardian has to paint it. I'm guessing, of course, but the original looks a little sloppy in Kendy's pictures."

Clave pointed the brush like a pencil and moved in a single graceful sweep. The resulting greenish-white circle wasn't half bad. "Bring it close," said the helmet. "Too narrow and also a little small. Go around again and add some bulk to the outer rim. Rather, when you leave, drape a cloth over yourself. We don't want to get it dirty while it's wet. . . Stet, Clave. Now the dot in the middle. Stet, leave it tiny. Give me another look at the shoulder-"

"Raym found you something, Silver Man."

Clave jumped. "What? Carlot, don't do that."

"Rather, take it. It's sporing fringe. Bring it back if you can. It's worth money."

Rather took the bag. "What's it for?"

"If you're in trouble, throw it. Everyone around you will have a wonderful time while you get away. Make sure you don't breathe it."

"Oh. Thanks."

"Sure."

"I'm ready to go."

There was something more that he ought to say, something she expected, but he couldn't for the life of him think what it was.

"You get tired, I'll take over," Debby said.

"No, no, the tank must be nearly full by now." Sweat slicked Raym wherever his skin showed. He was grinning and panting and pumping his legs with the vigor of a much younger man.

The tank must be full already, Debby thought. They wouldn't let Raym stop until-

Raym stopped. "What was that!"

Debby turned to where he was looking. "I don't see anything."

Tiny twin flames burned in the Dark, receding.

"Huh." Raym resumed pedaling. "Hope that isn't the fire getting closer. You never know where it's gonna be. It doesn't just drift like everything else, it spreads in spots and goes out in spots-"

Carlot called from the rocket. "Raym! Enough. Let's go find our mudball."

Chapter Twenty

The Library

from Discipline'.? records, year 926 State:

YOUR ORDERS ARE AS FOLLOWS.

1) ... YOU WILL VISIT EACH OF THESE STARS IN TURN. OTHER TARGETS MAY BE ADDED. WHERE APPROPRIATE YOU WILL SEED THE ATMOSPHERES OF PROTOEARTH WORLDS WITH TAILORED ALGAE USING THE CANNISTERS YOU CARRY. THE STATE EXPECTS TO SETTLE THESE WORLDS, SPREADING HUMANITY AMONG VARIABLE ENVIRONMENTS, AGAINST DANGERS THAT MIGHT AFFECT ONLY SOL SYSTEM.

2) THE STATE IS AWARE THAT YOU DO NOT REQUIRE A CREW TO OPERATE.

THE HUMAN SPECIES IS NOT INVULNERABLE. THERE IS FINITE RISK THAT THE CREW OF ANY INTERSTELLAR SPACECRAFT MAY FIND, ON ITS RETURN, THAT IT HAS BECOME THE ENTIRE HUMAN RACE. YOUR CREW AND THEIR GENES ARE YOUR PRIMARY CARGO. CLASSIFIED.

3) YOUR TERTIARY MISSION IS TO EXPLORE. IN PARTICULAR, ANY EARTHLIKE WORLD WITH POSSIBILITIES FOR COLONIZATION MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.

-LING CARTHER, FOR THE STATE

MATTER WAS TOO THICK IN HERE TO USE BOOT JETS.